Philippine Tatler envelopes

I'm guilty.  I still use plastic bags when needed.  It does come in handy, most especially on rainy days.  Believe me when I say I try my best to do my share to help save Mother Earth.  I really do.  But today, I wanted and needed A LOT  of plastic bags.  So my collection of reusable bags were deliberately left home as I made my trip to South Supermarket (Alabang) after lunch.

But to my surprise, my groceries were packed in these brown paper bags instead.  The very first time I experienced such in Manila.  Wow!!!

In support of the conservation of Mother Earth, I was told that Wednesdays are non-plastic bag days.  A great enviromental move of South Supermarket regardless of the known fact that Filipino consumers are  much accustomed to using plastic bags.  Thus, I was given a choice between a big box or brown paper bag.  Of course, I chose the latter knowing that I may convert these later on into something else.   Here's more, the "angel" security guard who helped load my groceries into the trunk of my car shared information that  plastic bags will no longer be available in South Supermarket by January 2011 as mandated by the local government of Muntinlupa.  GREAT!!!

On my end, I am not totally plastic-free yet.  But I've been doing these little recycling efforts for Mother Earth...

These boxes made from recycled materials like pizza boxes, old directories are used as packaging for my Tala bead necklaces.  I have talked about these boxes HERE.  But lately, I've been cooking up something else since I'm so much in the mood to organize and declutter.

A collection of Philippine Tatler (plus Yes! and Preview) magazines torn page by page and converted into these envelopes ...

My paper preference goes to Philippine Tatler for its thickness. 

 How it looks inside ...

These envelopes will be used as packaging for my bead cloth necklaces instead of the usual pouch during the December 10-12, 2010 bazaar at Alabang Hills Village.  Each envelope looks slim, chic and may even be used as a gift packaging.  All that needs to be done is to tie a ribbon around it :)

A must mention ... next photo are two envelopes which show the home of Manny Pacquiao in Los Angeles taken from YES magazine :)

Addressed to my two friends/ex-office colleagues, AC and Grace, who are often seen in  Tatler, WELL...I have turned your feature(s) into "smaller" envelopes for rings.   Hahaha!!! 

To By Beaded Story patrons, the regular pouch still exists, but now sold at Php10/piece. 

Or perhaps, it's time that you also make a change for Mother Earth's sake :)

The Journal Box

It's that time again when bead necklaces are due for delivery to Sonya's Garden. 

As I was getting ready for the delivery, I couldn't help but be thrilled for the nth time of the recycled packaging handmade by B=RAVE dude friend  for By Beaded Story.  And as if life wasn't complicated enough, I opted once again to to make it a bit more complicated by unpacking a few stuff and just to re-pack everything a few minutes later. All because of my eagerness  to share the thrill with you. 

Let's start with this.

By Beaded Story's signature box.  The idea to come up with a journal-like box came to mind while at the midst of my blogging.  As what I've said, there are so much stories to share behind the so-called beading. Thus, this journal box I believe best fits the concept.  The cover of the box is accentuated with recycled stickers or craft accessories cut-out from old calendars or stationeries.  To give it a very personalized flavor which I absolutely value despite the presence of computers and high tech gadgets, I hand write each cover with By Beaded Story's name.

And I insert short heartwarming notes that were collected over the years.   Behind each note, I write this ..

This Box...

1.  Made from recycled material (pizza box)

2.  Made by By Beaded Story's good friend, Bien :)

All boxes are 100% made of recycled materials.  The journal box, in particular, is made from pizza boxes and pages from old telephone directories.  Marked as well are B=RAVE dude friend's signature and the date when the box was made. 

But of course, I welcome  all other shapes and forms too. Here's a round one, again made from a pizza box.

Another round box.

A hexagon? 

This ain't foil.  Are you familiar with that silver lining found inside cigarette boxes?  Yes, that's exactly the one used by B=RAVE Dude friend to wrap this box.

Not related to the topic.  Lol.  But I've been busy with making bookmarks lately.  This also serves as By Beaded Story's calling card.  Again, the journal concept runs in my mind.

february 24, 2010 I WON THE LOTTO!!!

. . .  In my DREAMS!!!  I just wanted to catch your attention.

I was too deep in my thoughts that I have not even noticed the relaxing breeze last night. I did not even bother switching the TV on to catch the newest show of abs-cbn nor work on my beads.

My mind was just too pre-occupied on flashbacks and fast-forwards. In a nutshell, I wondered if there's truth to this theory,  the universal law of attraction.

I've had my share of answered prayers but I've also experienced disappointments.  If I analyze this further,  the answered prayers are those that my heart was truly set on.  These were life-changing moments.  

Although, not all were immediately answered. It took time and needed a lot of patience and perserverance.  There was no other choice but to be still and go with the flow.  It came unnnoticed but at the right time.

The disappointments, on the other hand, were the irrational desires. I may be persistent for some time but realizing later on that these were just a bunch of superficial whims.  Here, I become impatient and crazy :)

Applying this theory to present times . . . now that the race is over and now that my days are simpler . . . I finally enjoy a more diverse yet quiet life.  I see the connection of then and now.

I needed a creative outlet when I was working. By Beaded Story happened.  I had to unblock the creative bead-block and needed to stay inspired,  this blog happened.

I was hesistant to move from my Advertising and Promotions world to Operations.  I knew what was in my heart but I still went on and LEARNED.  Then, the Pharmacy happened.

Now, I want to do something relevant.  I rally for a beautiful Earth. This finally happened . . . .

But I never planned these to show up in the Pharmacy last Monday.  They were already on display when I arrived. This just happened.

Thus, the Universal Law of Attraction must be true.  With what I just listed, here's what I was really thinking of  ...I WON! I WON! I WON the LOTTO JACKPOT!!! ...  SOON☻. . . 

February 22, 2010 TALA SQUARE COLLECTION

It's Monday again.  Have a long list of things to accomplish this week.  Before I begin with my tasks, let me share with you a few photos of my 2010 Tala Square collection.

Overview of the Tala Square Collection

This was a 2009 Collection. 

Due to queries, I decided to make a few more pieces this year.

The design highlights a square-shaped glass pendant

with small round glass beads used as accent and as lock.

It is bound by an 8-strand wax cord.

Each piece comes in limited quantities (2-6 pieces only).

Note:  Save the Earth by donating P50 when you purchase any By Beaded Story bead work.  This will be donated to World Wild Life Fund Philippines and your order will be delivered in recycled packaging.  For more details, visit www.bybeadedstory.multiply.com.

February 20, 2010 SAVE MOTHER EARTH 2

It's been a week since these boxes were personally brought to my house.

I asked my B=RAVE dude friend  to construct boxes for By Beaded Story a couple of weeks ago. Early last week, he posted a message in my personal facebook account informing me that the boxes were ready.  I was so excited to see his work and therefore decided to host a dinner at home last Saturday. 

I cooked and served a home cooked meal.  Haha!  Well, not everyone knows  I cook.  Even B=RAVE dude friend was amazed.  The only people in my life who know are my husband, mother, aunt, brother, and  sisters (do they know? lol).   There was a time in my life when I cooked and baked a lot.  But life changed and perhaps because of health reasons, I stopped.

But yes!  Cooking from the ♥  happens when I get excited.  These boxes are so special . . . Why?

1.  because these  are handmade

2.  because these are handmade by a good friend

3.  because these are handmade by a good friend using recycled pizza boxes!

In my previous blog http://bybeadedstory.blogspot.com/2010/02/february-16-2010-save-mother-earth.html, I committed myself (and By Beaded Story) to help SAVE MOTHER EARTH.  Instead of using my usual pouches for packaging, I made a choice to use recycled materials this year.

Yesterday afternoon, I spent my time thinking of how to spruce these up.  I requested for bare boxes so that I can add a few touches of my own.

So, I gathered all these materials that have long been kept in my storage. . .

a 2004 Calendar

Un-used stickers supposedly for my wedding 4 years ago

Then, I ended up with this.

I treat the box as a symbol of MOTHER EARTH . . .

The butterfly or flower are all the living and breathing species on earth . . .

A scent reminder of the urgent need to Save Mother Earth through a eucalyptus leaf is placed under the  lid . . .

I wrote one-liner handwritten notes on top of each box . . . This represent  my commitment to help save Mother Earth!

February 11, 2010 JUST BLABBING

as of 10am TODAY . . .

1.  Do nothing

2.  Think nothing

3.  Hear nothing

4.  See nothing 

5.  But bring back these senses by 7:45 pm to catch  ABS-CBN's new teleserye

6.  After that, I shut down again

Need to gather all  my strength  for a busy-busy weekend.

THIS WEEKEND . . .

1.  Medical Mission for the eyes at the pharmacy.  Too many folks registered this month.  For the first time, we allowed  pre-registration through text and email  aside from our usual in-store registration.  The response is so overwhelming.  

2.  Meetings galore:  a) Senior Citizens of Bacoor; b) Dentist-friends who are so game to do the  "Libreng Bunot"  activity in March. Yup, a new gimik for the pharmacy; c) our week-ender internal updates; d) and, an on-the-side meeting about a barely surviving resto-bar in BF Homes. Well, I still do a bit of my former job.  I somehow miss it after all.

3.  Meet with  my B=RAVE dude friend to show me the handmade boxes he made  for my bead necklaces.  I'm super excited to see his work. You should see his picture frames made from unusual materials like coffee grounds and cigarette ash.  Beautiful!

4.  FINISH my TALA-glass collection.  Flash Report:  I accidentally broke a heart-shaped venetian glass yesterday. Tremendously clumsy!!!  Plus, I'm going too slow on this collection.  Ugh!

Oh no!  I almost forgot.  It's payroll time. This comes FIRST before the nothingness of Today and the everything else of this weekend.

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as of 2pm TODAY:   

Aaaaaahhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

See what just happened . . . . .

I VOW TO DROWN MYSELF TO NOTHINGNESS TODAY!!!!